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After knee replacement surgery
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 27, 2021 | Replies (618)Comment receiving replies
@johnbishop - Wow! That must be scary. I didn't quite understand the D-Dimer test. I think you said it was normal but then it sounded as if the nurse was explaining that it could be pieces of a blood clot? I think you are so wise to keep sending them photos and stay on top of anything that doesn't look 100% right. Even though you don't seem to be in pain, the swelling would concern me too. Does it impede your mobility? Are you still using a cane or any kind of support? At 4 weeks, you may have already quit the cane, but I think I would go back to it until the swelling subsides. I think the swelling could impact your balance. Please let us know what the results are of your last photo submission. Take it easy!!
Replies to "@johnbishop - Wow! That must be scary. I didn't quite understand the D-Dimer test. I think..."
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Hi Debbra @debbraw, I can tell you I was a little worried when I saw the results of the D-Dimer test (2010) with the normal range of <500. But reading the test description gave me a little insight and relief although it doesn't answer the swelling. I'm resigned to thinking the swelling is my lymphedema and the fact that I haven't been able to wear compression socks daily since the surgery. This morning I had enough flexion in my knee that I was able to get the compression socks on. The fun will be this evening removing them ☺
D-Dimer
-- https://labtestsonline.org/tests/d-dimer#
I think my rehab is going pretty good. I still use a walker at night if I have to get up for the bathroom. Then I use the cane off and on during the day when I'm working at home. If I go somewhere, I take the cane with me. I did get a nice long walk from the Graham parking lot to the Gonda building at Mayo where I had the ultrasound. There have been a couple of times where I've taken my 14 steps from the lower level of my house to upper level in the normal fashion (with the cane of course!). If I'm carrying something I revert back to bad foot first down and good foot first up, one step at a time.
Happy Friday!